LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball battled to the final out before losing 7-5 to No. 10 Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday evening at the Grizzly Baseball Complex.
The Grizzlies (36-9) brought the game-tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but could not complete the comeback to lose for the first time in the last 15 games. However, relief pitcher Alex Snider got two strikeouts to secure the win for the visitors.
The Knights (32-11) took an early 4-0 lead following a three-run double from Chris Burgess in the fourth inning. He would later add a two-run home run in the sixth inning to give the team a 6-1 advantage.
GGC (36-9) mounted two rallies in the later innings. Sophomore Nick Barnes connected on a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, closing the gap to 7-4. Then, in the ninth inning, senior C.J. Ballard legged out a triple to score sophomore Cam Coursey to add another run. However, that’s as close as the Grizzlies would get in the game.
Turning Point
The visiting Knights scored three runs with two outs in the fourth inning to grab a 4-0 lead. Consecutive singles by Jacob Durant, Guner Sellers and Bucky McGlamrey loaded the bases. Then, Chris Burgess brought home all three of those baserunners with a double.
Key Plays
Top of Third
Robbie Hanlon hit a run-scoring single to open the scoring for the visitors
Top of Fourth
Chris Burgess hit a double with the bases loaded to score three runs, giving the Knights a 4-0 lead
Top of Sixth
Chris Burgess connected on a two-run home run to increase the advantage to 6-0
Bottom of Seventh
Nick Barnes hit a three-run home run for GGC to trim the deficit to 7-4
Bottom of Ninth
C.J. Ballard legged out a triple to score Cam Coursey with another run
Inside The Numbers
- The Grizzlies recorded 10 hits in the contest
- Senior C.J. Ballard and sophomore Nick Barnes each collected three hits for the Grizzlies
- GGC hitters drew five walks in the game
- Sophomore Cam Coursey recorded four putouts and four assists from second base
News & Notes
- GGC falls to 36-9 on the season; Middle Georgia State improves to 32-11 in 2019
- Georgia Gwinnett College is No. 3 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll, announced earlier Tuesday; Middle Georgia State stood No. 10 in the same poll
- Tuesday’s loss ended the team’s 14-game winning streak
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Talladega College (Ala.) to begin a three-game series on Friday, April 19, at 4 p.m.